Cauvery dispute: PM Modi's intervention not possible now, says BJP

Bengaluru: Karnataka unit of BJP on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention in the raging Cauvery row with Tamil Nadu was not possible at this juncture and termed the demand by the Congress government in the state as "petty politicking".

It was an attempt by the state government to divert people's attention from its "failure" on the matter, state BJP President BS Yeddyurappa charged. "At this juncture, Prime Minister cannot intervene...We have to try to get justice through courts," he told reporters.

Protests in Karnataka against the SC's order to release water to Tamil Nadu. PTI

He said: "During the the all-party meeting, Mohan Kataraki (senior counsel) had very clearly, in the presence of the Chief Minister and other Congress leaders, said it was not possible for the Prime Minister or the central government to intervene as the issue is before the Supreme Court."

Flagging the "extreme unrest" in Karnataka over the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had on 9 September dashed off a missive requesting Modi to call forthwith "on a few hours notice" a meeting of Chief Ministers of the two states to end the impasse.

After violent protest in the city following the apex court's amended order directing Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu till 20 September, Siddramaih had on Tuesday sought for an immediate appointment with the Prime Minister, a response to which is still awaited.

Yeddyurappa said BJP was of the "considered view" that repeated demand for Prime Minister's intervention in this dispute is "politically motivated" and termed it as a devious attempt to divert the attention of people from the "abject failure" of the state government.

"Instead of indulging in petty politicking, I demand the state government to concentrate in fine-tuning its legal battle...maintain law and order," he said. Lashing out at the state government for offering to release 10,000 cusecs to Tamil Nadu, Yeddyurappa alleged that the government raised the issue of law and order while presenting its case before the court, instead of furnishing the facts relating to water level at reservoirs in both the states.

Apart from Congress and JD(S), several pro-Kannada and farmers groups, who are at the forefront of Cauvery agitation, are seeking the Prime Minister's intervention to resolve the issue. Several political parties in Tamil Nadu have also asked for the Prime Minister to intervene.